Cannonball Read 18

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time

Search this Site


Join Our Spoiler-Welcome Discussion of T. Kingfisher’s Books  

Shaping our shape of self

Unretouchable by Sofia Szamosi

by Leave a Comment

While looking at online reader copies that were new to the site I use, I found Bad Kid (a Graphic Memoir): My Life as a Troubled Teen by Sofia Szamosi. It said it was a companion to Unretouchable. Which, of course, meant that if I wanted to read Bad Kid, my brain said, you need Unretouchable. Therefore, off to the library I went to pick up a copy via interlibrary loan. Szamosi discusses the beauty industry and how she is both part of and wants […]

A Delightful Medley of the Finest New Middle Grade Graphic Novels

Freestyle by Gale Galligan

Growing Pains by Kathryn Ormsbee and Molly Brooks

The Baby-Sitters Club #12: Jessi's Secret Language by Chan Chau

Frizzy by Claribel A. Ortega and Rose Bousamra

Tidesong by Wendy Xu

The Tryout by Christina Soontornvat and Joanna Cacao

by Leave a Comment

My love of middle grade graphic novels continues to deepen as more and more great books come out. Over the past week I read these six, which almost all came out recently (Tidesong came out in 2021). What really struck me about most of them is the wonderful diversity of viewpoints and experiences, which makes for a varied and rewarding reading experience. Hopefully as the generation of kids reading these grows up, we will see a similar boom in YA and adult graphic novels. Freestyle […]

And what little girls are made of

Blancaflor, the Hero with Secret Powers: A Folktale from Latin America: A Toon Graphic by Nadja Spiegelman

by Leave a Comment

While focusing on one story in Blancaflor, the Hero with Secret Powers: A Folktale from Latin America: A Toon Graphic you will see multiple stories come together due to the collective ideals of storytelling around the world. This version of Blancaflor by Nadja Spiegelman and Sergio Garcia Sanchez highlights the Latin influences of this wonderfully illustrated story of women’s strengths and hidden talents which we see unfolding to save the prince/her love. The story is simple, Blancaflor is the daughter of ogres. Her father gave […]

I’m Team Glue, but I see the Importance of Glitter

When Glitter Met Glue (When Pencil Met Eraser) by Karen Kilpatrick

by Leave a Comment

When Glitter Met Glue is part of the When Pencil Met Eraser series by Karen Kilpatrick. They are about our pens, pencils, erasers, markers, and other tools of art/writing that come to life to teach a lesson and entertain. They are a formula that you have seen before but are fresh due to the way German Blanco creates their illustrations. Here we learn about how friendships are created and how even if you are feeling underappreciated, you are still a vital part of the team. […]

To the kooks, rebels, and heroes

Starboy: Inspired by the Life and Lyrics of David Bowie by Jami Gigot

by Leave a Comment

Step back from the fact this picture book, Starboy: Inspired by the Life and Lyrics of David Bowie is based on the idea of Bowie’s childhood and not a true account of his life, and you will enjoy this story that tells us to dance to the stars and dance with the cosmos. It shows that you need to be yourself and to hear what other people cannot hear. And learn that we all need to listen to those stars and that cosmos. Jami Gigot […]

Magic and dragons and Aunties oh my!

Tidesong by Wendy Xu

by Leave a Comment

cbr13bingo Pandemic    Tidesong is the graphic novel adventures of Sophie, her cousin Sage, and Great-Aunt Lan, along with a lost dragon named Lir. The magical journeys they experience bring them into a world of true magic, friendship and the real meaning of family and responsibilities. Sophie wants to go to the Royal Academy of magic. The best in the land. And not just because her mother and grandmother want her to. Of course, she first must learn to control the magic she has and […]



Help Our Mission

You can donate to CBR via:

  1. PayPal
  2. Venmo